Apparatus and methods for providing combining multiple video sources

• US 5,512,963 A
• Filed: 01/05/1995
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: E-Guide Inc.
• Inventors: Mankovitz, Roy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Acosta, Juan Gabriel
• Application Number:
  US08/369,532
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/8, 348/705, 348/706, 348/725, 348/659, 455/3.1, 455/3.2, 455/4.2, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/188.1, 455/191.1, 358/86
• US Class Current: 348/725
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/91 Helical scan format, wherein tracks are slightly tilted with respect to tape direction, e.g. VHS, DAT, DVC, AIT or exabyte
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/107 of operating tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/324 Duty cycle modulation of control pulses, e.g. VHS-CTL-coding systems, RAPID-time code, VASS- or VISS-cue signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7755 the recorder being connected to, or coupled with, the antenna of the television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9208 involving the use of subcodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for connecting video components. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a notch filter for filtering frequencies of a first channel from a first video source, the first video source having a plurality of channels, to form a notch filter output having each of the plurality of channels except the frequencies of the first channel, a bandpass filter for filtering a second video source to pass only frequencies in a second channel in the second video source having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first channel to form a bandpass filter output, and a summer for summing the notch filter output and the bandpass filter output to form a summed output. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a signal splitter for splitting a first input signal and providing a first and second output, the second output coupled to and providing the first video source into the notch filter.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting video components, the apparatus comprising:

means for notch filtering frequencies of a first channel from a first video source, the first video source having a plurality of channels, to form a notch filter output having each of the plurality of channels except the frequencies of the first channel;

means for bandpass filtering a second video source to pass only frequencies in a second channel in the second video source having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first channel to form a bandpass filter output; and

means for summing the notch filter output and the bandpass filter output to form a summed output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

means for signal splitting having a first input and a first and second output, the second output coupled to and providing the first video source into the means for notch filtering.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first video source is coupled to an over-the-air antenna; and

the second video source is coupled to a video cassette recorder.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a television input is coupled to the summed output.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first video source is coupled to an over-the-air antenna; and

the second video source is coupled to a cable box.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a television input is coupled to the summed output.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a video cassette recorder input is coupled to the summed output.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first video source is coupled to an over-the-air antenna; and

the second video source is coupled to a satellite receiver.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a television input is coupled to the summed output.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a video cassette recorder input is coupled to the summed output.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the first input is coupled to an over-the-air antenna;

the first output is coupled to a video cassette recorder input;

a video cassette recorder output is coupled to and provides the second video source into the means for bandpass filtering; and

the summed output is coupled to a television input.

12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the first input is coupled to a television cable source;

the first output is coupled to a video cassette recorder input;

a video cassette recorder output is coupled to and provides the second video source into the means for bandpass filtering; and

the summed output is coupled to a television input.

13. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the first input is coupled to a television cable source;

the first output is coupled to a cable box input;

a cable box output is coupled to and provides the second video source into the means for bandpass filtering; and

the summed output is coupled to a television input.

14. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the first input is coupled to a television cable source;

the first output is coupled to a cable box input;

a cable box output is coupled to and provides the second video source into the means for bandpass filtering; and

the summed output is coupled to a video cassette recorder.

15. An apparatus for connecting video components, the apparatus comprising:

a first means for notch filtering frequencies of a first channel from a first video source, the first video source having a plurality of channels, to form a first notch filter output having each of the plurality of channels except the frequencies of the first channel;

a first means for bandpass filtering a second video source to pass only frequencies in a second channel in the second video source having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first channel to form a first bandpass filter output;

a first means for summing the first notch filter output and the first bandpass filter output to form a first summed output;

means for signal splitting having a first input coupled to the first summed output and having a first and second output;

a second means for notch filtering frequencies coupled to the second output, the second output having a plurality of channels, to form a second notch filter output having each of the plurality of channels except the frequencies of a third channel;

a second means for bandpass filtering a fourth video source to pass only frequencies in a fourth channel in the fourth video source having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the third channel to form a second bandpass filter output; and

a second means for summing the second notch filter output and the second bandpass filter output to form a second summed output.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

the first video source is coupled to an over-the-air antenna;

the second video source is coupled to a cable box output;

the first output is coupled to a video cassette recorder input;

the fourth video source is coupled to a video cassette recorder output; and

the second summed output is coupled to a television input.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

the first video source is coupled to an over-the-air antenna;

the second video source is coupled to a satellite receiver output;

the first output is coupled to a video cassette recorder input;

the fourth video source is coupled to a video cassette recorder output; and

the second summed output is coupled to a television input.

18. A method for connecting video component signals, the method comprising the steps of:

notch filtering frequencies of a first channel from a first video source, the first video source having a plurality of channels, to form a notch filter output having each of the plurality of channels except the frequencies of the first channel;

bandpass filtering a second video source to pass only frequencies in a second channel in the second video source having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first channel to form a bandpass filter output; and

summing the notch filter output and the bandpass filter output to form a summed output.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:

splitting a first input signal to provide a first and second output, the second output coupled the first video source and being isolated from the first output.

20. An apparatus for combining multiple video sources, the apparatus comprising:

first means for receiving a signal from a first video source, the first video source having a plurality of channels;

second means for receiving a signal from a second video source;

means for notch filtering frequencies of a first channel coupled to the first means for receiving a signal from the first video source, to form a notch filter output having each of the plurality of channels except the frequencies of the first channel;

means for bandpass filtering coupled to the second means for receiving a signal from the second video source to form a bandpass filter output;

wherein the bandpass filter output passes frequencies in a second video source having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first channel; and

means for summing the notch filter output and the bandpass filter output to form a summed output.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein:

the first video source is coupled to an over the air antenna; and

the second video source is coupled to a video cassette recorder, a cable box, or a satellite receiver.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein:

the first video source is coupled to a satellite receiver; and

the second video source is coupled to a video cassette recorder or a cable box.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the summed output is coupled to a television input.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the summed output is coupled to a television input.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the summed output is coupled to a video cassette recorder input.

26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the summed output is coupled to a video cassette recorder input.

27. A method for combining multiple video sources, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal from a first video source, the first video source having a plurality of channels;

receiving a signal from a second video source;

notch filtering frequencies of a first channel from the first video source to form a notch filter output having each of the plurality of channels except the frequencies of the first channel;

bandpass filtering the second video source to pass only frequencies in a second channel in the second video source having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first channel to form a bandpass filter output; and

summing the notch filter output and the bandpass filter output to form a summed output.